Nottingham Forest Boss Nuno Espirito Santo's Job Hangs in Balance Following Explosive Showdown With Edu
The position of Nuno Espírito Santo at Nottingham Forest hangs in the balance following a dramatic deterioration in relationships behind closed doors, with sources suggesting his dismissal could occur ahead of Sunday's fixture against Crystal Palace.
Forest emerged as last season's surprise package, occupying a Champions League position for much of the campaign before eventually claiming sixth place - a result that far exceeded all predictions. However, the atmosphere has turned toxic in recent times.
Matteo Moretto initially broke the news regarding Nuno's precarious situation at Forest, after which the head coach faced journalists and acknowledged there was "no smoke without fire" when questioned about speculation surrounding his potential exit.
"I've always maintained an excellent relationship with the owner - last season we were very close, speaking almost daily," Nuno revealed. "This campaign, things haven't been as positive, but I've always believed that open communication and expressing your views is important, as my focus remains on the squad and the challenges ahead. However, our dynamic has shifted.
"I'm being transparent with you - I can't pretend things are the same, because they're not. As for why this has happened, I'm uncertain.
"I believe everyone at the club should be united, but that's not our current situation. My role is to prepare for what lies ahead, and I've expressed this respectfully. The truth is our relationship isn't what it once was. Previously, it was built on mutual respect, trust, and shared perspectives, but now it's deteriorated."
Reports from The Telegraph suggest that the appointment of new global head of football Edu has created friction between Nuno and the club hierarchy, with the manager openly expressing his frustration over Forest's inability to capitalize on last season's achievements.
Discussions are currently underway regarding Forest's response to Nuno's public statements, with Sky Sports News reporting there's a "genuine chance" he won't be managing on Sunday.
Forest proprietor Evangelos Marinakis has reportedly been left "bewildered" by Nuno's media appearance, with some speculation that the manager might be attempting to engineer his own departure from the club.
Nuno joined Forest in December 2023 and rapidly transformed the club's declining trajectory. The former Wolverhampton Wanderers and Tottenham Hotspur manager has secured victory in 30 of his 69 matches in charge, though whether he'll reach a 70th game remains uncertain.